Healthy Homes Assessment Waiohiki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Waiohiki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waiohiki, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waiohiki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Waiohiki rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Waiohiki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiohiki

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waiohiki

Waiohiki rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiohiki

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Waiohiki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiohiki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiohiki

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waiohiki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiohiki for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.